Toy log-rolling apparatus.



F. JOHNSON.

TOY LOG ROLLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 163R. 25,1912. 1 ,035,35 1

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

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P. JOHNSON.

TOY LOG ROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 25, 1912.

1,035,35 1. Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK JOHNSON, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

TOY LOG-ROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed April 25, 1912.

' This invention relates to a toy log rolling game apparatus, and the object thereof is to provide an apparatus of this character equipped with figures constructed to present the appearance of log rollers, and is designed to amuse children.

W'ith this and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

, In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation partly in vertical section of a toy constructed in accordance with this lnvention; Fig. 2 represents a top plan view of the apparatus; Fig. 3 1s a perspective view of one of the logs detached; Fig. 4 1s a similar view of one foot of one of the men; Fig. 5 is a detail end elevation of a portion of one log showing the feet of one of the men in position thereon.

In the embodiment illustrated a toy log rolling apparatus is shown which comprises a circular casing 1 which may be of any suitable depth and in which the operating mechanism is mounted. This mechanism may be of any suitable or desired construction, being preferably in the form of a spring motor which drives an upright sleeve 2, for a purpose to be described.

A vertical post or shaft 3 is fixed securely to the bottom of the casing 1, a bear ing 4 being preferably provided on said bottom to support the lower end of the sleeve 2 which is revolubly mounted on and supported by said post or shaft 3. A pinion 5 is fixed to said sleeve 2, which is driven by the motor disposed within the casing 1,

and a hub or collar 6 is also mounted on said sleeve and adapted to be engaged by the' speed controller mounted within the casing 1, and not herein shown, as any ordinary form of speed controller may be employed.

A tank 7 is mounted on the upper end of the casing 1 and has a centrally disposed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

Serial No. 693,137.

and which is adapted to receive the sleeve 2 and shaft 3 which project upwardly from the casing 1. This tank 7 is designed to contain water in which the logs to be described are tube 8 extending through the bottom thereof,

rolled, thereby presenting a more naturalappearance, and which also facilitates the operation of the apparatus in that it serves to support the weight of the apparatus and lessen the strain on the braces of the device.

A plurality of log supporting braces 9' are fixed at one end to the upper end of the sleeve 2. These braces may be formed by splittmg the upper end of the tube 2 longitudinally into three or more members and bending down the split portions to a suitable distance. These members then extend radially of the tank a distance substantially equal or a little greater than the length of the logs to be supported, the free ends of said braces being bent upwardly to provide 7 convenient bearings 10 for tubular shafts 11 which are fixed firmly on the outer ends of the logs, as 12. These tubular shafts 11 extend some distance beyond the outer ends of the braces 9 and are designed to receive and support paddle wheels 13. Shafts 1 1 are securely fastened at one end to the inner vertical ends of the braces 9, and at their other ends engage the inner ends of the logs 12,

said log ends being preferably provided with bearings 15 for said shafts 14.

Secured to the straight horizontal portions of the braces 9 at spaced intervals are figure supporting rods 16, any desired numher of which may be employed, two beinghere shown on each brace 9. These rods 16 are secured at one end to the braces 9 and curved upwardly and outwardly to fit around one side of the log which is mounted within the brace to which they are applied, and at a point directly over the center of the log these rods extend upwardly to re ceive and support figures 17. Two of these figures 17 are preferably mounted over each 10 th e feet of said figures disposed as close to the log as possible without actually coming into contact therewith, as the contact of the log would prevent the feet of the figures from sliding backward for actuation by pegs or pins in the logs, as will be presently described. These figures 17 are preferably mounted near the opposite ends of the logs and are preferably composed of rubber or other flexible material to adapt the legs to yield when the feet are engaged by the pins referred to, otherwise joints would have to be formed at the knees of the figures.

Two series of pegs or pins 18 and 19, and 5 20 and 21, respectively, are fixed in suitable positions aroundthe periphery of both ends of the logs 12 to position them in the path of the feet of the respective figures. The pegs of all the series are so arranged that none of them are in longitudinal alinement, and so are preferably made of equal lengths. Any desired number of these pegs are so arranged in each end of the log 12, four for each foot of each figure, and they are spaced exactly at equal distances around the log or at diametrically opposite points to each other. By this arrangement of the pegs it will be obvious that the legs and feet of the.

figures will assume an almost natural action so closely resembling the movement of a human beingv while log rolling that it is difficult to distinguish the difference, the apparatus being kept in action by the unwinding of the power generating spring in the casing 1, and by means of which the logs are continuously revolved. The soles of the feet of these figures are each provided with cleats or caps, as shown clearly in Fig. 4: which are designed to be engaged by the pins or pegs during the revolution of the logs, and which thereby moves the legs of the figures upward similar to the action of a man in log;

rolling. It will thus appear that the figures are actually rolling the logs and thus causing the paddle wheels 13 to revolve and drive the logs forward, while in reality the wheels are turned by the force of the waterengaging them during the rotary motion from the center of the apparatus.

A suitable cap 22 is fixed on the upper end of the shaft 3, as shown in Fig. 1, and is designed to cover the working parts of the ap paratus and prevent their exposure to view.

From the foregoing description taken inE connection with the accompanying draw-- ings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood withoutrequir-ing a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion; and the minor details of construction may' be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined and claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A toy log rolling apparatus comprisingareceptacle having a frame revol'ubly mounted therein, means connected to actuate saidv frame, radially extending members rotatably mounted on said frame, figures supportedi above said members, means for rotating'said: radially extending members, means on said members forengagement by the feet of said figures, and'means for permitting the move- 65 went of the legs ofsaid figures.

projections carried by said rollers in the path of said feet and adapted to be engaged thereby, and means for permitting the movement of the legs of saidfigures.

3. A toy log rolling apparatus com rising a revolubly mounted frame, means or actuating said frame, rotatably mounted rollers carried by said frame representing logs, figures supported over said rollers with, the feet thereof arranged adjacent to'the rollers, means for rotating said logs and projections carried thereby, said projections being arranged in staggered relation, and means for permitting the movement of the legs'of said figures.

4. In a toy log rolling apparatus, the combination of a receptacle, a spring motor arranged therein, a. sleeve driven by said motor and extending into said receptacle, log supporting braces carried by said sleeve,

logs rotatably mounted in said braces, means for rotating said logs, figures supported on said braces with their feet depending over said logs, means on said logs for engagement with said feet for imparting a running motion to said feet and means forpermitting the movement of the legs of said figures.

5. In a toy log rolling apparatus, the combination of a receptacle, a spring motor arranged'therein, a sleeve driven by said motor and extending into said receptacle, log supporting braces carried by said sleeve, logs rotatably mounted in said braces, means for rotating'said logs, figuressupported on said braces with their feet depending over sald logs, two series of pins arranged around each end of each of said logs in the path of the-feet of the figures, the pins of. the re spective series being arranged in staggered relation, and said pinsbeing of equal length,

rotating said logs, figures supported onsaid braces with their-feet depending over said logs, and paddle wheels carried by the outer ends of: said logs.

7. In a toy log rolling apparatus, the combination of a receptacle, a spring m'otor'arranged therein, a. sleeve driven by said m0- tor and extending into said receptacle, log

supporting braces carried by. said sleeve, logs rotatably mounted 1n sald braces, means for rotating said logs, figures supported on my hand in presence of two subscribing witsaid braces with their feet depending over nesses. said logs, a cap disposed over the upper end of said sleeve and braces, and means for per- FRANK JOHNSON 5 mitting the movement of the legs of said \Vitnesses:

figures. A. F. PETERSON, In testimony whereof I'have hereunto set FLOYD DOFSEN.

Copies of this oatent may be obtained for flve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D, 0. 

